Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Three Times A Charm ❯ Chapter 9

Title: Three Times A Charm

Author: JadeHeart

Archived: found on AdultFanFiction.net. If anyone else would like it, please ask me first!

Fandom: Fake

Rating: X

Warnings: bad language, yaoi, angst

Timeline: follows on directly from the end of Vol 7

Summary: Accidents can occur…

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this, they belong to the creators of `Fake', nor am I making any profits from this.

 

 

 

Chapter 9

 

 

SLAM!!!

 

The door swung inwards violently enough to hit the wall and bounce back. Dee stood a little down the hallway, leaning there, arms crossed, cigarette between his lips, watching the other man stand in the doorway with feet braced and gun raised at the ready.

 

Huh, he snorted to himself, reaching up to remove his smoke and exhale. Very flashy. Totally useless, but very flashy. He dropped the butt and ground it under his heel, before strolling down the hallway towards the now broken door where the other had disappeared inside.

 

He slipped his gun from his holster and flipped the safety off. Better to be just on the safe side. He carefully checked around the corner, listening. Nope, he had been right. He walked inside and joined the other standing in the lounge room. Dee holstered his gun again after slipping the safety back on. Accidentally blowing his ribcage out was not something he really wanted to do.

 

“The place is clear.”

 

Dee lit another cigarette. “Yeah. Didn't I tell you so?”

 

“Hey, Dee!” A call from the hall echoed down to them. Dee turned just as a shadow fell in the doorway. JJ entered, sharp eyes taking in the damaged door and the two men standing in the room. “We've had another call come through. It's time to head out.”

 

“Great,” Dee turned and took a couple of steps, then paused. He looked over his shoulder at the younger man still standing there with a bewildered expression on his face. “You'd better head off, kid. Why don't you ride shotgun with Drake? He'll show you the ropes.”

 

“Oh, okay,” The younger man headed out and disappeared down the hall.

 

JJ watched him leave and then turned back to Dee. “How come you sent him with Drake?” he asked, voice quite serious with none of his usual goofiness. Sharp eyes watched Dee as he leant against a wall. “You know that means that you're stuck with me.”

 

“I know,” Dee blew the smoke out and then took another drag. “but I don't fancy that kid being with me when he gets his brains blown out.”

 

“Hmm,” JJ continued to look at Dee for a moment longer and then walked closer to the still swinging door. He crouched down and examined the lock, looking up to see the stressed hinges, and then back towards the doorway leading to the hall. Still remaining hunkered down, he looked back up at Dee. “So he kicked the door in?”

 

“Yup.”

 

“And tried to copy all those cop shows that have them do that and stand right in the middle of the door with gun raised?”

 

“Yup,” Dee blew the smoke away.

 

“So you were about to just buy him some red paint and draw a nice big bulls-eye on his forehead, with a sign saying `Oh, shoot me please', right?”

 

“Yup.”

 

JJ sighed and stood. “Why don't they think?” he said, making his way out the apartment.

 

Dee followed, hands stuffed in his pockets. He shrugged. “Who knows? I suppose it looks good on TV so they think that's the way to do it. They forget that to begin with it actually takes some skill to kick a door in, and it's not going to work with every type so you might just end up breaking your ankle instead. On top of that, if you're going to kick a door in, it's just as likely to come swinging back on you from the force of the impact against the wall, or upon reaching the extent of its swing capacity, so you have to make certain that you don't end up with it giving you a bloody nose in the process, or knocking you out completely, not to mention obstructing your line of sight. Then, if you're going to stand silhouetted in a doorway, you had better be god-damn sure of what you're going to be facing in that room, or have a contingency plan to keep moving out of the way, otherwise you're going to be plugged full of lead before you know it.”

 

They stomped down the stairs. He hated this. As soon as he had walked into work this morning the Chief had hauled him into his office. He had no idea why. He had only just got there so he hadn't had time to piss the old Badger off yet! And he wasn't even late! So after being roundly abused, to which he paid little attention, the Chief had informed him that he had been assigned to monitor a rookie through a couple of simulations for the day. He had tried to talk his way out of it, but today it wasn't working. The Chief had been adamant, and a clip over the head convinced Dee that he may as well just give up and do it, but he really did hate it!

 

Firstly, he didn't have a lot of patience with the new officers, not the real new ones, those that hadn't worked at all yet on the force. Not like Ryo, who had already worked elsewhere, so was only a `newbie' as far as working at their particular precinct. That was very different. He knew that he could have some trust in a guy who's already been doing the job. The real rookies though, that was a completely different story! He knew he should be more understanding but his patience only went so far, which is why he generally wasn't given this task. Drake or Ted usually took on that role or, lately, Ryo also. All three of them had far more understanding and patience than he had.

 

Ryo…he thought, as they continued down the flight of stairs. The location they were in was a derelict building rented by the precinct just for this purpose, the purpose of practicing a raid, or the `hunt'. That's what Dee and the older guys called it, when you were pursuing a suspect through an unfamiliar building, quite often one similar to this. By using an empty building, they weren't going to scare any neighbours and they always did a sweep to ensure that no squatters had moved in who could get caught up in their scenario. They also only used blanks for these exercises, at least the rookies did, for which Dee was very grateful. The last thing he needed was to be having to dodge flying bullets from `friendly fire'! Until he had confidence in their ability he did not want them handling live ammunition around him, thank you very much!

 

This had just been a raid, not a hunt. The rookie was provided with the necessary information to set the scene for the purpose of this exercise. Dee's job was to monitor and correct, whilst observing how the new man analyzed the information and situation, and then based on that, what action he took and how appropriate it was. That's the bit that Dee really didn't like. He just wanted to give them all a big fat zero - but he had to justify why he was. Why should he have to justify it?, he thought. If my gut instinct is telling me that the guy's going to get him or, worse, his partner killed, shouldn't that be enough reason? However, the lousy paperwork didn't accept that as a good enough answer, so Dee had to come up with something more!

 

“Ryo was lucky to have a half-day today, especially after a weekend off as well. Lucky dog.” JJ's voice drifted to him from behind as they continued downwards. This building did have a lift but it had been decommissioned for the purpose of the simulation. That meant a long walk down six flights. Oh, well, Dee thought, guess that's my exercise for the day done.

 

“Yeah.” Dee said. He had barely seen Ryo this morning before having to head out again, having no more time other than to stick his head in the door and call out a good morning. With the new rookie in tow, he could hardly go in and give him a kiss.

 

They had arrived back in New York late last night, having stayed down with Ryo's family for dinner. Dee had kept his promise and driven back whilst Ryo had quietly slept in the passenger seat. Dee couldn't help but keep glancing over towards his partner, noticing how the orange-yellow glow from the street lights as they flashed past would briefly illuminate those chiseled features, before they faded back into shadow. Every glimpse was like a vision of beauty to Dee. Ryo always looked like an angel when he was sleeping; his face relaxed, his hair framing his features, his smooth white skin….

 

Dee remembered a nightmare he had had once, not that long ago; a nightmare in which he found that Ryo was indeed an angel. He had watched Ryo sprout blazing-white wings from his shoulders, loose feathers drifting down around his naked body, caressing it gently as they fell to scatter around his feet. Dee watched the two immense wings curl around his partner for a moment like a lover's embrace, then snap out to their full span, before making a long sweep downwards that caused Ryo to slowly rise from the ground. Dee had reached out with one hand and grabbed one of Ryo's tightly, feeling himself being pulled along a little, felt his own feet being lifted from the surface he was standing on.

 

“Don't go!” he had pleaded, looking up at Ryo, begging him to stay. “Please! Don't leave me now!”

 

Ryo had just smiled beatifically down at him, his dark eyes soft and gentle, his smile warm - but that look just froze Dee to the bottom of his soul. For all that it was beautiful, for all the warmth and kindness that was there - there was no love. At that thought, Dee's grip had loosened, the shock making him forget to maintain his hold and Ryo's long, slim fingers slipped away from his.

 

Dee had panicked then. It didn't matter! It didn't matter if Ryo didn't love him! He still didn't want him to go! He didn't want to be left alone!

 

He made another grab, desperately trying to retain their grip, but their fingertips only brushed against each other and he feel to his knees, staring up at the magnificent sight of Ryo rising higher into the sky, light blazing all around him so brightly it hurt Dee's eyes, even though he was squinting and had raised a hand to help shield his eyes, trying to watch Ryo the entire time. Then, when the light had faded and it was darkness again, Dee was left kneeling there, staring upwards, and tears were streaming down his face.

 

He had awoken then and found the pillow wet under his cheek. Turning his head he had buried his face deeper into that softness, and continued to cry until his chest hurt.

 

“So how did it go?” The sound of JJ's voice brought Dee back to the present. He reached up a hand to brush the tears from his cheeks, thankful that the younger man was behind him and couldn't see. He cleared his throat before speaking.

 

“I just hate watching rookies when they first get here. They make my blood run cold.”

 

“Good thing this was only a simulation then.” JJ said, following Dee towards his car.

 

Dee reached down and unlocked it. “Yeah, but that's scary enough for me. Drake can have the grey hairs instead of me.”

 

JJ laughed softly. “Give him much else to worry about and Drake's going to start going bald from stress.”

 

They closed the doors and Dee reached down to the car radio. “Better him than me.”

 

He was about to compress the button when it crackled to life in his hand, startling him enough to make him fumble it before getting a better grip. “Car 29, Car 29, do you read?”

 

Dee compressed the receiver and responded, “Car 29 here.”

 

“Baker suspect identified on Frazer Street northbound. Intercept and apprehend immediately.” The make, model and license plate of the vehicle was rattled off, JJ taking quick notes. “Confirm.”

 

“On our way. Car 29 out.” Dee dropped the radio, starting the ignition and switching on the siren. “Hold on tight,” he said to JJ as he swung out into the oncoming traffic with barely a beat. JJ grabbed a handhold as he struggled to put his seatbelt on. Once he heard the click, he leant down and collected the swinging radio, calling back to dispatch to receive any further updates on their quarry.

 

Dee knew this area well and so drove with a careless abandon, taking corners fast enough that the tyres squealed like a creature in pain. “Take it easy, Dee!” JJ shouted, still maintaining his hand grip. “Let's make it in one piece, shall we?!” Dee didn't bother responding.

 

JJ glanced over at Dee's profile. What's with him?, he wondered. He had driven with Dee a number of times on jobs, he was used to the way that he normally drove and was fully aware that Dee was considered by everyone to be a bit of a reckless driver, although he had never managed to prang a car yet, but today….

 

Today seemed different. Dee was driving with a recklessness that JJ considered unusual even for him. It was as though he had no fear - or he just wasn't thinking clearly of the consequences. He was actually driving dangerously. He gripped the handle hard again as they took another corner dangerously fast. “Dee, will you watch it! This isn't a damn racing car - you'll blow the tyres!”

 

“Don't sweat it, JJ!” Dee flashed him a smile. The smile did nothing to reassure JJ.

 

Shit! There was really something wrong! JJ thought. That wasn't a smile - it didn't even touch his eyes, his eyes were still cold! That smile had no warmth - in fact it only served to send chills down JJ's spine and right to the pit of his stomach. Ah, shit! Dee was going to get them killed!

 

They continued on their mad way, dodging from lane to lane, passing traffic with a blare of siren and horn, the scenery outside flashing past in a blur. JJ was certain there would be no tread on the tyres by the time this chase ended. He only thanked all the gods that it wasn't raining as well as he was sure that the tyres wouldn't have been able to cope with that also.

 

“There's the bastard!” Dee suddenly said, catching up on a car racing before them. JJ looked ahead and as they drew nearer checked the license plate and other details. Sure enough they matched. They'd found their man. “We've got him now!” Dee snarled, pressing his foot on the accelerator so the car leapt forward. JJ could only tighten his hold on the handle.

 

They began to catch up with the other vehicle gradually, when it seemed that the driver suddenly appeared to realize that they were directly behind and so stepped on the gas. JJ watched the other pull away. Dee cursed. “You're not getting away that easy, sunshine!” and increased their own acceleration.

 

They raced down the freeway, other drivers frantically pulling to one side to clear the way, when the other vehicle suddenly veered off at an exit, causing an innocent motorist to swerve violently to avoid the possible collision and spin out of control, before coming to a rest on the shoulder. As they whizzed past, JJ craned his head back to look over his shoulder and was relieved to see the driver getting out, obviously unhurt. He turned his attention back to the front as Dee continued the chase.

 

“Slow it down, Dee!” JJ warned. “We're getting deeper into residential areas now. Take it easy.” There was no noticeable decrease in their speed. JJ risked another glance at the man driving. Dee was staring ahead with a fixed expression, eyes narrowed in concentration. JJ pursed his lips together and focused back on the front. He just had to trust that Dee knew what he was doing.

 

The chase continued as JJ reported their progress to Dispatch and was informed of various roadblocks being hastily erected in an attempt to cut off possible escape routes. The streets were getting narrower, sometimes coming down to just one lane width due to parked cars on either side. The streets were also getting shorter in length so there were more corners to negotiate. JJ just ignored the squealing tyres now, concentrating on looking for other possible hazards, mainly in the form of unsuspecting pedestrians. Dee stayed almost right behind the suspect, which was no doubt making them more rattled with every passing moment.

 

They rounded another sharp right and JJ shouted, “Watch out!” as the trash cans that had been deliberately knocked over by the car in front scattered across the road before them. Dee swore and spun the wheel, standing on the brakes, trying to avoid what he could, but in this narrow alley there was no-where really to go. Dee saw the brick wall suddenly appear before them, felt a bone-jarring impact, and then everything went black.

 

*************

 

“Dee! Dee!”

 

Dee's eyes fluttered open, the grey mist covering his sight gradually sharpening into images. He blinked again, trying to bring it into focus. Above him hovered JJ's worried face.

 

“Wh…at…”

 

“Don't try and talk,” JJ said, still frowning in concern. “Just stay still. An ambulance is on the way, it should be here shortly.”

 

Dee raised an unsteady hand to his face. It felt wet and as he drew it away he saw the dark blood coating the palm.

 

“I told you to stay still, damn it!” JJ snapped, capturing his raised hand and pressing it back into his lap.

 

“Wha…what happened?” Dee managed to rasp out. His head hurt. No, correction, everything hurt.

 

“We ran into a wall,” JJ said, turning his head to take a quick look down the street. Where the hell was that ambulance?! He brought his full attention back to Dee. “You weren't wearing your seatbelt, you idiot, so you took a hard knock.”

 

Gods, Dee looked awful!, JJ thought, taking in the state of his friend. Thick, almost black blood coated the side of his face, a gash running across his forehead and up into the hairline. Even through the hair JJ could see the gleam of bone. The blood had seeped right down and soaked the collar of Dee's white shirt, slowly dripping down his chest. It looked gruesome and frightening. JJ had no idea how seriously Dee was hurt but he wasn't taking any chances.

 

He lifted his head, his sharp ears catching the faint sound of a siren on the wind. Yes, that was the ambulance; it was definitely coming this way! He let out a mental breath of relief. “Hold on, buddy. The ambulance is nearly here.”

 

“Where….where's the …”

 

“They picked him up at the roadblock over the bridge. Don't sweat it.”

 

He heard Dee sigh, “Good,” and JJ saw Dee close his eyes. He felt the relaxing of muscles in the hand that he still held and panicked. Shit! He dropped the hand and frantically felt for the carotid pulse, and upon feeling the steady, if a little weak, pulse under his fingertips, he let out a deep breath of relief. He was still okay.

 

****************

 

Dee opened his eyes to find himself looking at a large expanse of white. He blinked his eyes rapidly but no colour changed the visage he was viewing. He then noticed the light fittings and faint lines and realized he was looking at a ceiling. Turning his head, he saw that he was in a hospital bed, tubes connected to his arm which in turn was connected to a monitor. He turned his head to the other side and could see the sky through the window. He heard the door open and looked back that way to see JJ entering, a large bunch of flowers in one arm. He threw a cheerful smile to Dee as he came closer.

 

“Glad to see you're awake finally.”

 

“How long have I been here?” Dee glanced back to the window. The sky seemed darker than the early afternoon when they had had the accident.

 

“It's nearly 7.00pm.”

 

“So late?”

 

JJ dropped the flowers in a vase on the table nearby. “The doctors were a little worried about you since you weren't coming out of it, but they took all the necessary tests and they've just told me that they've all come back clean.” JJ sat in the chair nearby, looking at Dee earnestly. “You were damn lucky you're not dead, Dee. Why didn't you put your seatbelt on? You know better than that. I've never seen you forget before.”

 

That's right, Dee thought, running a hand through his hair but not getting far as he felt the stickiness of the blood still in his hair. He hadn't put his belt on. It was such a stupid thing to have done. He had been so busy thinking about Ryo, worrying about what had happened over the weekend and trying to act like nothing was wrong to JJ, that he had just…forgotten. And nearly killed himself for his carelessness. He had been so fucking stupid! He winced as his fingers brushed against a dressing.

 

“Careful!” JJ started out of his chair, one hand stretched out as though to try and snatch Dee's back. “You've got twelve stitches in your head. Fortunately, there's no skull fracture.” JJ smiled then, sitting back down. “You at least managed to hit the hardest part of your body - your head!”

 

Dee scowled at him, then winced as it pulled at the stitches. He settled for just glaring at the cocky man seated next to him. “Ha, ha, bloody-ha.” he managed to grumble.

 

JJ just smiled back at him. “Well, I'm going to head back now that everything's okay. The doctor said he'll be in shortly to see you, so he'll give you the full low-down on what they've been doing. They want to keep you in overnight to monitor you, so I'll tell the boys not to expect you in.” JJ stood and began to make his way to the door.

 

“Hey, JJ!”

 

JJ turned. “Yeah?”

 

“Do us a favour?”

 

“Sure.”

 

“Don't tell Ryo.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Dee turned to look out the window. “Ryo's already knocked off today so there's no point bothering him tonight.” He turned back to give JJ a dazzling smile and thumbs up. “Besides I'm a-okay and about to get a good night's sleep, and hopefully there'll be a really hot-looking night nurse as well!”

 

“You sure? Don't you think your partner might be a bit concerned?”

 

Dee shrugged. “He can't exactly do anything, can he, so what's the point? I'll catch up with him in a couple of days.” Dee grinned again. “I'm going to make the most of this chance to have a break!”

 

“Okay, if that's the way you want it.”

 

“Yep, that's the way.”

 

JJ nodded acknowledgement of Dee's wishes. “I'll catch you later then.”

 

“Sure,” JJ turned the handle and opened the door. “Oh, and, JJ,”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Sorry for being such a stupid ass and nearly getting you killed.”

 

JJ looked back. Dee had leant back on the pillows with eyes closed. “Hey, no problem. I'm not the one lying in a hospital bed with a busted head.”

 

“Yeah. That's true. Must go to show that you do have more brains than me.”

 

“Sure I do,” JJ said with a smile. “That's because I'm the brains and you're the beauty of this relationship.”

 

Dee cracked an eye open to look at the younger man grinning there, then sighed. “Well, if you're going to pounce on me again, can you at least wait until I'm all healed up?”

 

“'Course I will. Better be prepared for it then!”

 

Dee waved his hand in a shooing motion. “Get out of here so I can sleep in peace!”

 

“Night, Dee.”

 

“Thanks, JJ.”

 

Dee lay there for a long time after JJ had left, staring at nothing in particular. He knew he could trust JJ not to say anything. He didn't want Ryo to know about this. Right now, he didn't know if the reason he had asked JJ not to say anything was because he was afraid to find out that Ryo had been told and didn't bother coming to see him, or he would come rushing in here and Dee didn't know if he could handle his partner's concern just now.

 

The weekend had been difficult for him in one way, yet wonderful in another. He had been able to spend quite a bit of time with Ryo; they had spent long hours either walking or just lying outside on the grass side by side. He liked Ryo's aunt and uncle, they were good people and he had been really pleased to see Ryo looking so relaxed. They were family, truly family. Even now, just remembering how Ryo had looked brought a smile to Dee's face.

 

But it had also been very difficult as well because Ryo still made no move to confirm Dee's position in his life, nor did he make any other move towards intimacy during their time there. It was so bittersweet when they would lie side by side on the lawn and Ryo would hesitantly sneak his hand into Dee's outstretched one, fingers tentatively curling around his in a gentle caress, only to slip away swiftly if anyone else approached. Dee felt a tear slowly leak from the corner of his eye. What the hell was he to do?

 

********************

 

Ryo wandered into work early. Since he had taken a half day off yesterday to attend a concert at Bikky's school, he felt rather guilty so he had decided to come in earlier to get started on the paperwork. Dee wouldn't be in till at least the start of shift, or knowing him, most likely later than that even.

 

Ryo slung his jacket over the back of his chair and sat down. Dee had been occupied all yesterday with mentoring the new police recruits. Ryo rather enjoyed that task as he found the fresh-faced attitudes of the new officers uplifting. It was very different from the cold, and sometimes cynical, attitude that most of the guys had developed over time. Ryo felt revitalized after being with the new recruits as it seemed to re-ignite his own feelings of zeal as to why he wanted to become a police officer in the first place. He was looking forward to discussing it with Dee, to find out how it had gone and what he had thought of it.

 

Dee, he thought, opening the file before him. It had been a lovely weekend being able to spend it with all the people that he loved the most, apart from Bikky and Carol that is! He had been so glad that Dee had got along with his aunt and uncle, and vice versa. It was nice to be surrounded by so much laughter again.

 

He smiled to himself as he made some notes. Yes, it had been a good weekend. He remembered how Dee had looked as they had laid on the grass one time, the wind fluttering Dee's dark hair across his forehead, the scurrying clouds overhead casting brief shadows over his face, darkness and then light interchanging. One hand had been stretched out, palm facing up to the sky. Ryo had reached out to touch Dee's hand, sliding his fingers over the palm. Dee's eyes had opened and met his. Neither said anything, but Ryo had felt Dee's fingers tighten around his. It had been a touching moment and one that, even now, Ryo couldn't help but smile at. Dee had looked so relaxed, so peaceful.

 

The only awkward part of the weekend was trying not to let anything slip to his aunt and uncle. In some ways he wasn't concerned about his uncle. Not that the man wasn't observant, but he had a feeling that it was more something that a woman would be likely to pick up on than another man, which is why he had been caught completely unprepared for his aunt's comment about Dee and himself when they had first arrived that evening. It had been so completely unexpected that he had just blurted out the first thing that came to him, which was a denial.

 

He had immediately felt bad about it. It was the first time that he had lied to his aunt, and he didn't like that feeling at all, but he still didn't know quite how to tell them. He absently chewed on the end of his pencil, frowning. He did want to tell them, he was sure he did, but he didn't know how to approach it. Would they understand? He was rather worried about that.

 

“Hey, Ryo!”

 

“Huh?” Ryo looked up, startled.

 

JJ stood in the doorway. “Man, you were miles away!”

 

“Oh, sorry, did you say something?”

 

“Just wanted to know if you wanted some coffee.”

 

Ryo looked down at his watch. It was an hour past start of shift already. Where had the time gone? “Sure, that'd be great.”

 

“Okay.”

 

JJ turned when Ryo called out to him, “Hey, have you seen Dee? He's pretty late today, even for him.”

 

JJ looked over his shoulder. “Oh, he's probably still in the hospital. I don't expect him to be back for a couple of days.”

 

“Hospital?!” Ryo leapt to his feet, leaning on the desk before him. His heart was pounding so hard in his chest it was hurting and he felt his skin turn to ice.

 

“Yeah. We had a bit of prang yesterday. Dee had forgotten to put his seatbelt on and got banged up a bit.”

 

“How badly?” Ryo managed to get out through his closing throat.

 

“A few stitches and bruises. They were keeping him overnight to monitor in case anything else cropped up.”

 

Ryo grabbed his jacket and keys and ran past the other man. “Hey, what about your coffee?!” Ryo didn't answer him.

 

Ryo jumped into his vehicle and exited the parking lot with a squeal of rubber. He turned the siren on, ignoring the fact that it was against policy to do so in this situation, but at this stage he didn't care. Dee was hurt. He was in hospital. Why hadn't he been told?! Why hadn't Dee called him?!

 

Cars melted out of his path as he hurtled towards the hospital. He arrived and parked in the emergency bay, slamming through the doors and dodging around the people milling there. He almost skidded to a stop at the front counter and managed to gasp out his request.

 

“Laytner, Officer Dee Laytner. He was brought in yesterday. What room is he in?”

 

“One moment, sir,” Ryo tapped his fingers impatiently on the counter, his mind racing in circles. Finally the nurse looked up. “Sorry, sir, but Officer Laytner checked out this morning.”

 

“Was he okay?”

 

“Oh, yes. He had no major injuries, although he would be required to take it easy for a couple of days.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Ryo ran back out to his car, and with a quick check, headed back into the traffic. As he drove towards Dee's place, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed Dee's home number. He listened to it ringing as he darted around vehicles. The phone rang and rang and then switched into the message bank. Damn it! Ryo cursed as he hung up. He dialed Dee's cell phone, listening to the ringing. Again it rang out until it went to message bank. Why wasn't he answering?!

 

Ryo kept trying both numbers over and over, until he pulled up before Dee's apartment. He took the stairs two at a time, too impatient to wait for the slow moving lift. He reached Dee's door completely out of breath, and began pounding on it. Thump! Thump! Thump! No answer. He continued to pound harder. Where was he? He should have been here! If he had left the hospital this morning he had had plenty of time to get home. Where else would he have gone? Surely he wouldn't have tried to go into work.

 

He pulled his phone out and dialed JJ's number. As soon as he heard the click of the connection he spoke, “JJ, has Dee turned up at work?”

 

“Ryo, is that you?”

 

“Yes, is Dee there?”

 

“Of course not! He's in hospital. I told you.”

 

“He checked out this morning. I can't find him.”

 

“Have you tried calling him?”

 

“Yes. He's not picking up at home, nor is he answering his cell.”

 

“He's probably resting and just not answering the phone.”

 

“He's not answering his door either.”

 

“You're at his place?”

 

“Yes, right now. There's no answer.”

 

“I wouldn't worry too much, Ryo. He seemed fine last night when I left him at the hospital and the doctors didn't appear to be worried about him any longer.”

 

That made Ryo pause. “You….were with him at the hospital?”

 

“Yeah, sure. I wasn't about to leave him until I knew he was okay.”

 

“Oh, I…I just thought he would have called me.”

 

“He didn't want to worry you since you had already left for the day. Like he said, there wasn't exactly anything you could do.”

 

“No…you're quite right. There would have been nothing I could do.” Except be there with him, by his side when he was hurt, and know that he was okay, Ryo thought silently.

 

“I'm sure he's just gone to some friend's place to rest up. You know what he's like when he's sick. He's such a big baby.”

 

“Yeah, yeah, that's true. Thanks, JJ, sorry to bother you.”

 

“Not a problem. Catch ya.”

 

JJ hung up and Ryo stood there for a moment longer looking down at the now silent phone in his hand. JJ was right about one thing, and that was that Dee wasn't the best patient when he was sick or hurt, so he might have sought out someone to help look after him - but who? He hadn't called Ryo this morning and he would have thought that he would have been the first person Dee would have sought out. Did Dee not want to see him? Was he avoiding him? Maybe he was hurt worse than JJ was saying? Where could he have gone to?!

 

Ryo felt his stomach tying itself in knots tighter and tighter. Who could he ask? Who might know where Dee would go? Mother's, he suddenly thought. She would probably know. He raced back down the stairs.